Forum Flash | 'Better Bites' at parks

'Better Bites' at parks

Families traveling to Kentucky's state parks no longer have to fear only meals of fried food and too-large hamburgers for their kids.

The parks system has announced healthier options on the kids' menu at its 17 restaurants, by joining with "Better Bites: Restaurant Edition," a project of the Tweens Nutrition and Fitness Coalition in Lexington, which focuses on making healthy eating and physical exercise accessible to kids 9 to 13, according to a parks press release.

In the United States, around 17 percent of adolescents ages 2 to 19 are considered obese, and Kentucky ranks high nationally for its percentage of childhood obesity.

Vacations to Kentucky state parks should provide visitors, including children, the opportunity to be active, like hiking and swimming. The physical benefits of these activities shouldn't be completely undermined by meals that are high in calories or fat.

Some changes the parks system has made to meet the Better Bites nutrition guidelines include serving smaller hamburgers and cheeseburgers on whole wheat buns and serving other sandwiches on whole wheat bread, according to the parks release. All children's menu items come with a side of fresh fruit and vegetable sticks.

The changes have made 80 percent of children's menus Better Bites options, the release said.

It's encouraging that Kentucky State Parks has reworked children's menus to include more nutritious items. Promoting a well-rounded diet for children sets them on a better path to becoming healthier adults.

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Forum Flash | 'Better Bites' at parks

Families traveling to Kentucky's state parks no longer have to fear only meals of fried food and too-large hamburgers for their kids.